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Budgets - Cambodia

Get a clear picture of what it costs to teach English in Cambodia with TravelBud. From pre-departure expenses to your first few months abroad, this guide helps you plan and budget for a smooth, stress-free start to your teach abroad adventure.

Our support team will walk you through everything prior to you departing to ensure you have exactly what you need by when you need to have it.

  • Cambodia is generally a cheap place to travel to. You should be able to manage on a relatively low budget if necessary.
  • Although Cambodia may appear inexpensive, costs add up and it can be easy to overspend.
  • This guide is to provide you with an approximate budget for your initial few months.
  • These values will vary depending on your personal budget and spending habits.
IN-CLASS TEFL/TESOL COURSE & PLACEMENT PROGRAM

We strongly suggest that in-country TESOL/TEFL in Thailand and Teach Cambodia participants bring no less than USD $1,600 to buffer any unforeseen costs before their first paycheck.

PLACEMENT ONLY & SUPPORT PROGRAM

If you are only completing the cultural orientation week before heading to your placement, we strongly suggest you bring no less than $1,300 USD with you when you arrive in Phnom Penh, or have access via ATM, to buffer any unforeseen costs before your first paycheck.

Budget before you arrive

Our support coordinators will assist you with:

  • Booking flights.
  • Explaining and finding the best insurance required.
  • Advising you on all the document costs involved.

FLIGHTS

Flight prices vary depending on where you travel from and when you book. Prices can occasionally exceed this range.

$450 - $850

INSURANCE

Travel insurance prices can vary depending on things like provider, age, country of origin and duration of your stay. This range is for TravelBud's recommended policies based on stays of 6 months or 1 year. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all TravelBud programs.

$350 - $1,500

DOCUMENTATION

This budget is assuming all of your current documentation is in English, you are in possession of your physical degree and that you hold a valid passport.

$20 - $70
TOTAL

$820 - $2,420

 

 

In Country TEFL in Thailand, Placement in Cambodia

EARLY ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK

If you plan to arrive in Bangkok a day or two early, you should budget the cost of transportation, attractions, and food. Entry prices for main attractions are about 100 – 400 Baht. You can save money by using public transportation whenever possible and only take metered taxis. Public transportation consists of the BTS Skytrain and the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (both for with an unlimited day pass for 130 - 150 Baht each). These public transportation methods are easy ways to navigate Bangkok for much cheaper than a taxi (150 Baht to 300 Baht) and avoid the traffic.

$50 - $80

ACCOMMODATION DEPOSIT AND RENT

All monthly accommodations in Thailand require a deposit to cover any damages and the cost of electricity. When you check out at the end of your stay, your deposit will be returned to you minus any damages and minus the amount of water and electricity usage. Electricity is charged at 10 baht per unit and participants using a moderate amount of electricity can expect to spend 1,000 – 1,500 Baht per person (based on a shared room). Your deposit return will be greatest if you do not use your air conditioner and remember to turn off all electricity when not in use. The deposit cost ranges from 3,000 - 5,000 Thai Baht. You will need to pay the deposit when you check in to your accommodation on Monday. All participants are subject to a deposit.

$70 - $300

DAILY EXPENSES (FOOD, LAUNDRY,
TRANSPORTATION AROUND HUA HIN)

A local meal in Thailand is about 50 - 100 Thai Baht per dish. There are many restaurants that sell western style food, but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 200 - 400 Thai Baht and up for a single meal. There are coin laundry machines (50 Baht per load) and full- service laundry shops (10 Baht per item of clothing) in Thailand. Public transportation on routes in Hua Hin costs 20 Baht per trip. If you are looking to go somewhere specific, or are in a hurry, you can rent a taxi, tuk tuk, or motor taxi. They are very easy to find and will charge you based on the distance you are going to costing around 200 - 500 baht depending on the distance.

$200 - $300

ENGLISH SCHOOL CAMP SUPPLIES

Participants are responsible for supplying their own stationery, and school supplies. As you will learn in the course, having colourful, creative, engaging materials enhances the experience for your students. During the English camp, you will need to make flashcards, props, and possibly some worksheets. Most teachers spend about 500 – 1000 THB (15 - 30 USD) on their camp supplies for flashcards, worksheets, activities, and games. You will be able to use these materials once you start teaching at your placement as well. XploreAsia does provide access to basic stationery such as scissors and whiteboard markers, to help you plan your homework and class presentations.

$15 - $30

START-UP ITEMS (TOILETRIES, TOWEL, FAN, & PHONE)

On the first Monday of the program, the in-country team will take everyone to the local mall where you can purchase anything you will need for your accommodation. The mall is easy to access, and you can return at any time during the course. Most accommodations in Thailand are self-serviced apartments. This means that they do not provide towels or other amenities you may find in a typical hotel. Participants will need to provide the following essentials for their room: A towel, toilet paper, and drinking water. With the high cost of electricity from air-conditioning use, some participants choose to buy a fan. Fans cost THB 400 - 1,200.

$20 - $100

OPTIONAL EXPENSES (NIGHTLIFE,
WEEKEND TRIPS, SHOPPING)

Although going out for drinks may seem much cheaper in Thailand, the cost can mount up quickly. Be mindful of this when heading out. If you are interested in going on weekend day trips with fellow participants to the local waterfall, temples and beaches, there are some national park entrance fees and transportation costs. We will tell you more about these options during your first week and we can help arrange the trips.

$20 - $85

TRANSPORT FROM THAILAND TO
CAMBODIA

After the course in Hua Hin, the participant will travel from Hua Hin to Phnom
Penh. That includes bus to the BKK airport and one way flight to Cambodia.

$150 - $170
TOTAL $525 - $1,065

Please Be Aware – Very Important

On average those participating in the In-class TEFL/TESOL course, Placement and Support program will be placed within the first 6 weeks in Bangkok/Phnom Penh, however, on occasion, the placement process can take longer.

Therefore, it is important to be prepared and budget $200 – $740* for a couple of weeks post-course in Bangkok before heading to your placement.

*Please note: $200 – $740 estimate includes accommodation costs and flights back to Cambodia for 2 weeks.

 

Placement Only & Support - Orientation Week in Phnom Penh

EARLY ARRIVAL IN PHNOM PENH

If you plan to arrive in Phnom Penh a day or two early, you should budget in the cost of transportation, attractions, and food. Public transportation consists of the Grab taxi and buses.

$10 - $80

ACCOMMODATION COSTS DURING ORIENTATION WEEK

If your program does not include accommodation costs for the orientation week, you will be invoiced the cost of the accommodation during your orientation week. Rent costs will include electricity and water usage. Private rooms are available upon request but may incur extra charges.

$20 - $70

DAILY EXPENSES (FOOD, LAUNDRY,
TRANSPORTATION AROUND PHNOM PENH)

A local meal in Cambodia is about 1 – 4 USD per dish. There are many restaurants that sell Western style food, but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 3 - 10 USD. There are coin laundry machines (1 USD per load) and full-service laundry shops (15 cents per item of clothing). Public transportation on routes is cheap. If you are looking to go somewhere specific, or are in a hurry, you can rent a taxi, tuk-tuk, or motor taxi. They are very easy to find and will charge you based on the distance you are going to costing around 2-5 USD depending on the distance.

$60 - $90

START-UP ITEMS (TOILETRIES, TOWEL, FAN, & PHONE)

On the first Monday of the program, the in-country team will take everyone to the local mall where you can purchase anything you will need for your accommodation. The mall is easy to access, and you can return at any time during the course. Most accommodations in Thailand are self-serviced apartments. This means that they do not provide towels or other amenities you may find in a typical hotel. Participants will need to provide the following essentials for their room: A towel, toilet paper, and drinking water. With the high cost of electricity from air-conditioning use, some participants choose to buy a fan. Fans cost THB 400 - 1,200.

$15 - $70

OPTIONAL EXPENSES (NIGHTLIFE,
WEEKEND TRIPS, SHOPPING)

Although going out for drinks may seem much cheaper in Cambodia, the cost can mount up quickly. Be mindful of this when heading out. If you are interested in going on weekend day trips with fellow participants to the local waterfall, temples and beaches, there are some national park entrance fees and transportation costs. We will tell you more about these options during your first week and we can help arrange the trips.

$20 - $90

TRANSPORT FROM THAILAND TO
CAMBODIA

After the course in Hua Hin, the participant will travel from Hua Hin to Phnom Penh. That includes bus to the BKK airport and one way flight to Cambodia.

$150 - $170
TOTAL $275 - $570

Please Be Aware – Very Important

On average those participating in the In-class TEFL/TESOL course, Placement and Support program will be placed within the first 6 weeks in Bangkok/Phnom Penh, however, on occasion, the placement process can take longer.

Therefore, it is important to be prepared and budget $200 – $740* for a couple of weeks post-course in Bangkok before heading to your placement.

* Please note: $200 – $740 estimate includes accommodation costs and flights back to Cambodia for 2 weeks.

 

1 month Teaching - Post Orientation week & TEFL Course

TRANSPORTATION TO YOUR PLACEMENT

At the end of the course, the placement team will advise you on the best way to get to your
placement. As most teachers are going to be
teaching in and around Phnom Penh, the transport cost to placement is very low. They will assist you in purchasing the correct van, bus, train, or plane ticket. The bus system in Cambodia is the most common (and cheapest) form of transport. Most people will take a bus to their placement and the bus tickets will cost about USD 12 to USD depending on distance.

$14 - $56

ACCOMMODATION

Your rent will likely not be included in your school contract so you will need to pay rent and electricity and water usage every month. Depending on your electricity usage you can expect to spend approximately USD 30 to 45 on electricity for moderate use. Water will be minimal, generally a few dollars be month.

$300 - $600

(plus one month deposit)

BORDER HOP

Should you be unable to obtain a business visa on arrival at the Phnom Penh airport when you first arrive, you will receive a tourist visa. Close to the end of the tourist visa, you will need leave Cambodia and re-enter on a business visa.

$100 - $215

BUSINESS VISA & WORK PERMIT COST

Most schools do not pay for the Business Visa and Work Permit. That cost is approximately USD 485 and that includes the visa and work permit for the one-year visa

$485

DAILY EXPENSES

You can spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your placement and spending habits. The amount given here is a safe approximation for most placements in Cambodia.

$150 - $225
TOTAL $1,049 - $1,581

 

 

Budget Totals

Pre-Departure
$1,011 - $2,770
In-Class TEFL/TESOL, Placement in Cambodia & Support Program

- First month of course + first month at placement
$1,624 - $2,764
Placement Only & Support Program Total

- Orientation week + first month at placement
$1,174 - $1,981

The amounts shown above are estimated for someone who has frugal spending habits. We highly recommend that you bring no less than $2500 for your program start. This will provide an additional $500 USD cushion.

 

We realize that moving abroad to teach English in Cambodia is expensive at first, but remember that with TravelBud your teaching job placement is guaranteed.

  • You can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle knowing your monthly income of $700 – $1600 USD (depending on qualifications, experience and placement location) is secured.
  • Once you start earning a salary, your living costs will be comfortably covered and you’ll start to learn how to cut down on your monthly expenses (for example, eating out less and finding the most affordable grocery store in your placement town).
  • You will be able to enjoy your time teaching and travelling in Cambodia and save a good portion of your salary ($200 – $500+ USD per month) to fund your bucket-list travel adventures, pay of student loans, and return home with some savings to your name.